Evaporative fluid pouch and systems for use with body fluids

ABSTRACT

An inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch for use with body fluids from a patient is presented that involves introducing body fluids into a first chamber in the storage-and-liquid-processing pouch and flowing air through a second chamber. The chambers are separated by a high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member. The air flow in the second chamber enhances liquid removal from the first chamber across the high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member. Other systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/442,567 filed Apr. 9, 2012; which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/084,813, entitled “DRESSINGS ANDMETHODS FOR TREATING A TISSUE SITE ON A PATIENT,” filed on 12 Apr. 2011,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,604,265 and incorporated herein by reference; andwhich claims the benefit, under 35 USC §119(e), of the filings of: U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/529,709, entitled“EVAPORATIVE FLUID POUCH AND SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH BODY FLUIDS,” filed 31Aug. 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes;U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/529,722, entitled“REDUCED-PRESSURE DRESSINGS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS WITH EVAPORATIVEDEVICES,” filed on 31 Aug. 2011, which is incorporated herein byreference for all purposes; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/529,735, entitled “ABSORBENT POLYMER DRESSINGS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODSEMPLOYING EVAPORATIVE DEVICES,” filed 31 Aug. 2011, which isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes; and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/529,751, entitled “REDUCED-PRESSUREINTERFACES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS EMPLOYING A COANDA DEVICE,” filed on 31Aug. 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to medical treatment systemsfor treating wounds that produce liquids, such as exudate, and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to reduced-pressure medicaldressings, systems, and methods with evaporative devices.

BACKGROUND

Caring for wounds is important in the healing process. Wounds oftenproduce considerable liquids, e.g., exudate. Medical dressings are oftenused in wound care to address the production of liquids from the wound.If not properly addressed, liquids at the wound can lead to infection ormaceration of the periwound area. As used throughout this document, “or”does not require mutual exclusivity. Wound dressings may be used aloneor as an aspect of applying reduced pressure to a tissue site.

Clinical studies and practice have shown that providing reduced pressurein proximity to a tissue site augments and accelerates the growth of newtissue at the tissue site. The applications of this phenomenon arenumerous, but application of reduced pressure has been particularlysuccessful in treating wounds. This treatment (frequently referred to inthe medical community as “negative pressure wound therapy,” “reducedpressure therapy,” or “vacuum therapy”) provides a number of benefits,which may include faster healing and increased formulation ofgranulation tissue.

SUMMARY

According to an illustrative embodiment, an inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch for use with body fluids from apatient is presented that involves introducing body fluids into a firstchamber in the pouch and flowing air through a second chamber where thechambers are separated by a high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member.The air flow in the second chamber enhances liquid removal from thefirst chamber across the high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a system for treating atissue site on a patient with reduced-pressure includes areduced-pressure dressing for disposing proximate to the tissue site, afirst reduced-pressure conduit fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressuredressing for delivery reduced pressure thereto, and an inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch having a first chamber and a secondchamber. The first reduced-pressure conduit is fluidly coupled to thefirst chamber. The system further includes a reduced-pressure sourcefluidly coupled to the first chamber and a pressure source fluidlycoupled to the second chamber at a first evaporation port. The systemalso includes a second evaporation port formed on the inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch. The pressure source is configuredto move air within the second chamber.

According to another illustrative embodiment, an inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch for use with body fluids from apatient includes a pouch body having an interior portion divided intotwo parts by a first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member to form afirst chamber and a second chamber. The inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch also includes a storage materialdisposed within the first chamber and an air-movement manifold disposedwithin the second chamber. The inline storage-and-liquid-processingpouch also includes a first port formed on the pouch body and fluidlycoupled to the first chamber; a second port formed on the pouch body andfluidly coupled to the first chamber; a first evaporation port formed onthe pouch body and fluidly coupled to the second chamber; and a secondevaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to thesecond chamber.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a method for temporarilystoring and processing body fluids outside of a patient includesproviding an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch. The inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch includes a pouch body having aninterior portion divided into two parts by a firsthigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member to form a first chamber and asecond chamber. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch furtherincludes a storage material disposed within the first chamber and anair-movement manifold disposed within the second chamber. The inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch further includes a first port formedon the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the first chamber; a secondport formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the first chamber;a first evaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled tothe second chamber; and a second evaporation port formed on the pouchbody and fluidly coupled to the second chamber. The method furtherincludes delivering the body fluids, which include liquids, to the firstport and into the first chamber and developing an airflow in the secondchamber through the air-movement manifold. As a result, a humiditygradient is maintained across the firsthigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member to evaporate liquids from thefirst chamber.

According to still another illustrative embodiment, an inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch for use with body fluids from apatient includes a pouch body having an interior portion divided intothree parts by a first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member and asecond high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member to form a first chamber,a second chamber, and a third chamber. The first chamber is between thesecond and third chambers. The inline storage-and-liquid-processingpouch further includes a storage material disposed within the firstchamber, a first air-movement manifold disposed within the secondchamber, and a second air-movement manifold disposed within the secondchamber. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch also includes afirst port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the firstchamber; a second port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled tothe first chamber; a first evaporation port formed on the pouch body andfluidly coupled to the second chamber; a second evaporation port formedon the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the second chamber; a thirdevaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to thethird chamber; and a fourth evaporation port formed on the pouch bodyand fluidly coupled to the third chamber proximate to the second end.

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the illustrative embodimentswill become apparent with reference to the drawings and detaileddescription that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, cross sectional view of an illustrativeembodiment of a system for treating a tissue site on a patient withreduced pressure that includes an inline storage-and-liquid-processingpouch;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, lateral cross sectional view of the inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 andmade into a whole cross section;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, lateral cross sectional view of an illustrativeembodiment of an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, longitudinal cross sectional view of anillustrative embodiment of an inline storage-and-liquid-processingpouch;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, plan view of an illustrative embodiment of aninline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch;

FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective view, with a portion in cross section(lateral), of an illustrative embodiment of an inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic, longitudinal cross sectional view of the inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch of FIG. 6 with some alterations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the illustrative, non-limitingembodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form apart hereof. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it isunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logicalstructural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoiddetail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice theembodiments described herein, the description may omit certaininformation known to those skilled in the art. The following detaileddescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of theillustrative embodiments are defined only by the appended claims.

Referring now to the figures and primarily to FIG. 1-2, a system 100 fortreating a tissue site 102, such as a wound 103, on a patient 104 withreduced-pressure is presented. The system 100 includes an illustrativeembodiment of an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 thatallows the system 100 to process more liquids from the tissue site 102than would otherwise be possible as well as offering other potentialbenefits.

The depicted wound 103 at tissue site 102 is through epidermis 108 andinto dermis 110. A reduced-pressure dressing 112 is disposed on thetissue site 102 and is operable to receive fluids from the tissue site102. The reduced-pressure dressing 112 may be any type of dressing forreceiving fluids from the patient, but is shown as a dressing with awound-interface manifold 113 and a drape 115. Indeed, thereduced-pressure dressing 112 may involve only removing fluids from abody-fluid container, such as an ostomy bag. Fluids, including liquids,from the tissue site 102 are delivered through a reduced-pressureinterface 114 to a first reduced-pressure conduit 116 that is fluidlycoupled to the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106.

As an overview of the illustrative embodiment of the inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106, the inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 includes a pouch body 118 formedwith exterior walls 119 and having an interior portion 120 that dividedinto two parts by a first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122.The exterior walls 119 and first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-ratemember 122 form a first chamber 124 and a second chamber 126. A storagematerial 128 is disposed within the first chamber 124. An air-movementmanifold 130 is disposed in the second chamber 126. These aspects of theinline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 and others will befurther described.

A first port 132 is formed on the pouch body 118 and fluidly coupled tothe first chamber 124. A second port 134 is formed on the pouch body 118and fluidly coupled to the first chamber 124. A first evaporation port136 is formed on the pouch body 118 and is fluidly coupled to the secondchamber 126. A second evaporation port 138 is formed on the pouch body118 and fluidly coupled to the second chamber 126. Reduced pressure isapplied to the second port directly by a reduced-pressure source, e.g.,a micro-pump (see FIG. 4), or by a second reduced-pressure conduit 140(FIG. 1). The first evaporation port 136, which is the outlet to thesecond chamber 126, may have a bacteria filter over the firstevaporation port 136 to filter the air before the air exits the secondchamber 126.

Thus, liquids are pulled into the first chamber 124 as suggested byarrows 142 from the reduced-pressure dressing 112. A hydrophobic filter135 or other device may be placed at the downstream port, i.e., thesecond port 134 in FIG. 1, to prevent liquids from exiting through thedownstream port. As suggested by arrows 144, air is caused to flow inthe second chamber 126 that helps create or maintain a relative humiditygradient across the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122and that helps remove liquids from the inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 and more generally the system100. While air is mentioned throughout this document, it should beunderstood that another working gas could be used and that air is beingused in a broad sense to reference a gas that creates the humiditygradient across the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122.

The first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122 may be formedfrom any material that allows vapor to egress but not liquids. “MoistureVapor Transmission Rate” or “MVTR” represents the amount of moisturethat can pass through a material in a given period of time. The firsthigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122 typically has a moisturevapor transmission rate greater than 300 g/m²/24 hours and moretypically 1000 g/m²/24 hours or more. The firsthigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122 allows vapor to egress ordiffuse from the first chamber 124 to the second chamber 126, but notliquids.

The first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122 may comprise oneor more of the following: hydrophilic polyurethane, cellulosics,hydrophilic polyamides, an INSPIRE 2301 material from Exopack AdvancedCoatings of Wrexham, United Kingdom; a thin, uncoated polymer drape; orpolyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, hydrophilic acrylics,hydrophilic silicone elastomers and copolymers of these. The INSPIRE2301 illustrative film has an MVTR (inverted cup technique) of14500-14600 g/m²/24 hours. See www.exopackadvancedcoatings.com. Thefirst high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122 may have variousthicknesses, such as 10 to 40 microns (μm), e.g., 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40microns (inclusive of all numbers in the stated range).

A patient-facing side 123 of the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-ratemember 122 may be coupled by an attachment device (not shown), e.g.,adhesive or cement, to the top side (for the orientation shown inFIG. 1) of the storage material 128, e.g., top of the second wickingmember 162. In such an embodiment, the performance of the firsthigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122 with respect to MVTR may beenhanced by only covering a limited surface area of the patient-facingside 123 with the attachment device. For example, according to oneillustrative embodiment, only 30 to 60 percent of the surface area ofthe patient-facing side 123 is covered with the attachment device. Thelimited coverage by the attachment device on the patient-facing side 123may be accomplished by applying the attachment device in a pattern,e.g., grid, spaced dots, swirls, or other patterns. In anotherembodiment, the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122 maybe coupled by welding (e.g., ultrasonic or RF welding), bonding,stitching, staples, or another coupling device to the storage material128. In other embodiments, there is no attachment device.

The air flow in the second chamber 126 may be achieved in eitherdirection and is shown in FIG. 1 flowing in a direction opposite thereduced pressure flow of the first chamber 124. In the embodiment shown,a positive pressure is applied to the second evaporation port 138. Thepositive pressure may be applied directly by a micro-pump or otherdevice (see FIG. 4) or by positive pressure delivered by a pressureconduit 146. When configured to apply positive pressure to the secondevaporation port 138, the first evaporation port 136 functions as anoutlet for flowing air to exit the second chamber 126. Alternatively,reduced pressure may be applied either directly or through pressureconduit 146 to the second evaporation port 138. In that instance, thefirst evaporation port 136 functions as an intake for allowing air toenter the second chamber 126.

The pouch body 118 may be formed in numerous ways. According to oneillustrative embodiment, the exterior walls 119 are formed by a firstsealing member 148 and a second sealing member 150. The first sealingmember 148 is bonded by bond 149 to the second sealing member 150 atperipheral ends 152. The first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member122 is disposed between the first sealing member 148 and second sealingmember 150 and may be bonded with bonds 149 as well. The firsthigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122 thereby forms two parts orbisects (not necessarily equal parts) the interior portion 120 to formthe first chamber 124 and the second chamber 126.

The first sealing member 148 is formed from any material that inhibitsair flow through the first sealing member 148 and typically that isliquid impermeable as well. In some embodiments, the first sealingmember 148 may be a high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate material to allowadditional liquid to egress the second chamber 126. The second sealingmember 150 is formed from any liquid-impermeable material. Typically,the first sealing member 148 and second sealing member 150 are formedfrom one or more of the following: natural rubbers, polyisoprene,styrene butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polybutadiene, nitrilerubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylenediene monomer, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polysulfide rubber,polyurethane (PU), EVA film, co-polyester, silicones, silicone drape, a3M Tegaderm® drape, or a polyurethane (PU) drape such as one availablefrom Avery Dennison Corporation of Pasadena, Calif., or any materialmentioned for the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122, orother appropriate material. The first sealing member 148 need not beliquid impermeable and could also be formed from a woven or non-wovenmaterial as long as the material is coated or constructed to contain theair flow.

The ports 132, 134, 136, and 138 are formed through the pouch body 118.Typically, the respective pairs of ports (132 and 132; 136 and 138) aredisplaced as far as possible from each other to maximize distribution ofliquids or evaporation. Thus for example, typically the first port 132is positioned on a first end 154 of the pouch body 118 and the secondport 134 is positioned on the second end 156. Likewise, the firstevaporation port 136 is on the first end 154 and the second evaporationport 138 is on the second end 156.

The storage material 128 is disposed in the first chamber 124. Thestorage material 128 is any material that receives fluids, includingliquids, and retains the fluids. For example, without limitation, thestorage material 128 may be formed from one or more of the following: anabsorbent member 158, a first wicking member 160, a second wickingmember 162. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2, the storagematerial 128 comprises the absorbent layer 158 and two wicking members160, 162. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 3, the storage material128 is only an absorbent member 158.

The absorbent member 158 may be any material that retains liquids andmay comprise one or more of the following: BASF 402c, TechnicalAbsorbents 2317, sodium polyacrylate super absorbers, cellulosics(carboxy methyl cellulose and salts such as sodium CMC), or alginates.The first wicking member 160 and second wicking member 162 may be formedfrom one or more of the following: non-woven fabrics such as LibeltexTDL2, woven fabrics including 3D spacer fabrics and Textiles (Baltex,Ilkeston, Derby, UK), open-cell foam, or sintered polymers.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the storage material 128includes a first wicking member 160, an absorbent member 158, and asecond wicking member 162, which is proximate to the firsthigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122. The first wicking member160 and the second wicking member 162 may be coupled at their peripheraledges 165 as shown by a coupling 163. The coupling 163 may be formedusing any known technique, including without limitation welding (e.g.,ultrasonic or RF welding), bonding, adhesives, cements, stitching,staples, or another coupling device. Alternatively, the first wickingmember 160 and the second wicking member 162 may be disposed adjacent toone another at least at their peripheral ends (overlapping portions) andheld in contact with one another to allow fluid communicationtherebetween. The wicking layers 160, 162 may thus be in fluidcommunication with each other to allow fluid flow between the wickinglayers 160, 162 and along the wicking layers 160, 162 at times when theflow of fluid in the absorbent layer 158 is inhibited or blocked.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another illustrative embodiment of an inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 for use with body fluids from apatient is presented. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106is analogous in many respects to the inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 of FIGS. 1-3, and accordingly,some parts are labeled but not further discussed. The inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 includes a first micro-pump 164coupled to the pouch body 118 and fluidly coupled to the second port134. The first micro-pump 164 is operable to produce reduced pressurethat is delivered to the second port 134. The first micro-pump may beany pump capable of producing reduced pressure and small and lightweight enough to be attached directly to the pouch body 118. Forexample, and not by way of limitation, the micro-pump shown in UnitedStates Patent Publication 2009/0240185 (application Ser. No. 12/398,904;filed 5 Mar. 2009), entitled, “Dressing and Method for Applying ReducedPressure To and Collecting And Storing Fluid from a Tissue Site,” whichis incorporated herein for all purposes, may be used.

Similarly, a second micro-pump 166 is coupled to the pouch body 118 andfluidly coupled to the second evaporation port 138. The secondmicro-pump 166 is operable to produce air flow in the second chamber 126between the first evaporation port 136 and the second evaporation port138. The second micro-pump 166 is analogous to the first micro-pump butmay configured to either pull air as shown and suggested by arrows 168or to push air. In the latter situation, air goes from the secondevaporation port 138 through the second chamber 126 to the firstevaporation port 136. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106may be formed with one or both of the micro-pumps 164, 166 or with oneor more conduits 140, 146 as shown in FIG. 1. A first reduced-pressureconduit 116 is fluidly coupled to a wound dressing (not shown), such asthe reduced-pressure dressing 112 in FIG. 1, and to the first port 132.As shown in FIG. 5, the reduced-pressure dressing may also be directlycoupled to the first port 132.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 5, a plan view of an illustrative system100 for treating a tissue site on a patient with reduced-pressure thatincludes an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 is presented.The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 is analogous in mostrespects to the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 of FIGS.1-3, and accordingly, some parts are labeled but not further discussed.In addition, components referenced but not explicitly shown areanalogous to those previously presented. The embodiment of FIG. 5differs primarily in that the pouch body 118 has a main portion 170 anda neck portion 172 and the first port 132 is coupled directly to thereduced-pressure dressing 112.

It should be noted that that the inline storage-and-liquid-processingpouch 106 may take many different shapes. Some embodiments of the inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 are for wearing on the patientand others may be for a stationary position near the patient. In someembodiments, the second chamber 126 may encircle the first chamber 124or other configurations may be used. The pouch body 118 may takedifferent sizes too. In one illustrative embodiment, the pouch body 118has surface area in plan view greater than 200 centimeters² and lessthan 730 centimeters².

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, reduced pressure is developed into thefirst chamber and that reduced pressure pulls liquids from thereduced-pressure dressing 112 directly into the first port 132 and isdistributed in the first chamber. A micro-pump 166 pushes or pulls airinto the air-movement manifold. Thus, air will enter or exit through thefirst evaporation port 136, which in this embodiment comprises aplurality of apertures. The movement of air in the second chamberestablishes a strong humidity gradient across a firsthigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member and liquid is thus processedout of the system 100.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 6 and 7, another illustrativeembodiment of an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 ispresented. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 isanalogous in most respects to the inline storage-and-liquid-processingpouch 106 of FIGS. 1-3, and accordingly, some parts are labeled but notfurther discussed. In addition, components referenced but not explicitlyshown are analogous to those previously presented. This embodimentdiffers primarily in that three chambers are formed in the interiorportion 120 in order to provide for evaporation on two sides of thefirst chamber 124.

A pouch body 118 is formed having exterior walls 119. The pouch body 118is partitioned by a first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122and a second high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 174 to form thefirst chamber 124, a second chamber 126, and a third chamber 176. Thesecond high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 174 may formed from thesame materials as the a first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member122 as previously presented. The first chamber 124 is between the secondchamber 126 and third chamber 176. As with previous embodiments, astorage material 128 is disposed within the first chamber 124 and anair-movement manifold 130, which is a first air-movement manifold 178,is disposed within the second chamber 126. In addition, a secondair-movement manifold 180 is disposed in the third chamber 176. Thefirst air-movement manifold 178 and second air-movement manifold 180 areformed from one or more of the same materials previously mentioned forthe first air-movement manifold 130 in FIGS. 1-3.

The storage material 128 may be any of the materials previouslymentioned. FIGS. 6 and 7 differ from one another slightly with respectto the storage material 128. The storage material 128 in FIG. 6 has anabsorbent member 158 disposed between a first wicking member 160 and asecond wicking member 162. In contrast, the storage material of 128 ofFIG. 7 is only an absorbent member 158.

Referring primarily to FIG. 7, a schematic, longitudinal cross sectionof the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 of FIG. 6 ispresented. The various ports are shown best in this view. The pouch body118 is formed with a first port 132 formed on the pouch body 118 and isfluidly coupled to the first chamber 124. A second port 134 is alsoformed on the pouch body 118 and is fluidly coupled to the first chamber124. A first evaporation port 136 and a second evaporation port 138 areformed on the pouch body 118 and are fluidly coupled to the secondchamber 126. In addition, a third evaporation port 182 is formed on thepouch body 118 and is fluidly coupled to the third chamber 176.Likewise, a fourth evaporation port 184 is formed on the pouch body 118and is fluidly coupled to the third chamber 176. To maximizedistribution or evaporation, the pairs of ports are typically remotefrom each other and usually one is on the first end 154 and the other onthe second end 156.

Referring generally to FIGS. 6 and 7, according to one illustrativeembodiment, in operation, the first port 132 is fluidly coupled to thewound dressing (e.g., reduced-pressure dressing 112 in FIG. 1) andreceives fluids, including liquid, therefrom. The liquid is pulledthrough the second port 134 into the first chamber 124 by reducedpressure applied to the first chamber 124 through the first port 132.The liquid is distributed within the storage material 128 from thesecond port 134 to the first port 132 as suggested by arrows 142. Theliquid in the storage material 128 interacts with both the firsthigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 122 and the secondhigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member 174.

An air flow is produced in the second chamber 126 as suggested by arrows144. Air may flow to or from the first evaporation port 136 and from orto the second evaporation port 138. The air flow in second chamber 126is caused by applying positive or reduced pressure to one of theevaporation ports 136, 138. In addition, an air flow is produced in thethird chamber 176 as suggested by arrows 186. Air may flow to or fromthe third evaporation port 182 and from or to the fourth evaporationport 184. The flow in third chamber 176 is caused by applying positiveor reduced pressure to one of the evaporation ports 182, 184. In thisway, air flowing on both sides of the first chamber 124 enhances theinline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106's ability to processliquids out of the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106.

In all the embodiments herein, the air movement through the secondchamber 126 (and third chamber 176 when applicable) may be continuous,intermittent, or actively controlled. In the latter situation, asaturation sensor may be applied in the first chamber 124 or an outwardfacing side of the high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate members 122, 174.The saturation sensor may be any device that allows monitoring of thesaturation status of the storage material 128. For example, withoutlimitation, the saturation sensor may be a resistive element thatchanges resistance when liquid covers the sensor, a galvanic cell thatcreates a voltage when covered with liquid from a wound, a capacitivesensor that changes properties when saturated liquid is nearby, or anyother electrical saturation sensor. The saturation sensor is coupled toa controller, and the controller and saturation sensor determine whenthe storage material 128 or high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate members122, 174 are saturated. Upon detecting the same, the controller mayactivate a pressure source that supplies either reduced pressure orpositive pressure to one of the evacuation ports 136, 138. When thesaturation sensor and controller determine that the storage material 128is not saturated, the controller may deactivate the pressure source.

In another illustrative embodiment, an inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 is coupled directly to abody-fluid bag, e.g., an ostomy bag. The an inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch 106 may form an outer wall of thefluid-bag itself.

The illustrative systems and inline storage-and-liquid-processingpouches presented herein offer a number of perceived advantages. Theseinclude the ability to manage a higher volume of fluid than otherwisepossible. In this regard, one may consider that exudate from a woundoften has about 88 percent water and 12 percent other materials. Withsuch a device in use, the system may not need changing for a relativelyextended period of time. In addition, the inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch is multi-directional and involvesfewer parts than canisters in use. In addition, the inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch has a low profile and is light.These are only some of the potential advantages.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been disclosed inthe context of certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiments, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions, permutations, andalterations can be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims. It will be appreciated thatany feature that is described in connection to any one embodiment mayalso be applicable to any other embodiment.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described abovemay relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. Itwill further be understood that reference to “an” item refers to one ormore of those items.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in anysuitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate.

Where appropriate, aspects of any of the embodiments described above maybe combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described toform further examples having comparable or different properties andaddressing the same or different problems.

It will be understood that the above description of preferredembodiments is given by way of example only and that variousmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The abovespecification, examples and data provide a complete description of thestructure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Althoughvarious embodiments of the invention have been described above with acertain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or moreindividual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerousalterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from thescope of the claims.

We claim:
 1. A system for treating a tissue site on a patient withreduced-pressure, the system comprising: a reduced-pressure dressing fordisposing proximate to the tissue site; a first reduced-pressure conduitfluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure dressing for delivery of reducedpressure thereto; and an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouchhaving a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamberis fluidly coupled to the first reduced-pressure conduit and configuredto be fluidly coupled to a reduced-pressure source, and wherein thesecond chamber has an evaporation port adapted to allow air to flow outof the second chamber and is configured to be fluidly coupled to apositive-pressure source.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch comprises: a pouch body having aninterior portion divided into two parts by a firsthigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member to form the first chamber andthe second chamber; a storage material disposed within the firstchamber; and an air-movement manifold disposed within the secondchamber.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the storage materialcomprises an absorbent member.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein thestorage material comprises an absorbent member and a first wickingmember.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the storage material comprisesan absorbent member, a first wicking member, and a second wickingmember, wherein the absorbent member is disposed between the firstwicking member and the second wicking member.
 6. An inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch for use with body fluids from apatient, the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch comprising: apouch body having an interior portion divided into two parts by a firsthigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member to form a first chamber and asecond chamber; a first port formed on the pouch body and fluidlycoupled to the first chamber; a second port formed on the pouch body andfluidly coupled to the first chamber; a first evaporation port formed onthe pouch body and fluidly coupled to the second chamber; and a secondevaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to thesecond chamber.
 7. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch ofclaim 6, further comprising a storage material.
 8. The inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch of claim 7, wherein the storagematerial comprises an absorbent member and a first wicking member. 9.The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch of claim 7, wherein thestorage material comprises an absorbent member, a first wicking member,and a second wicking member, wherein the absorbent member is disposedbetween the first wicking member and the second wicking member.
 10. Theinline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch of claim 6, furthercomprising a first micro-pump coupled to the pouch body and fluidlycoupled to the first port, wherein the first micro-pump is operable toproduce reduced pressure delivered to the first port.
 11. The inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch of claim 6, further comprising asecond micro-pump coupled to the pouch body and fluidly coupled to thefirst evaporation port, wherein the second micro-pump is operable toproduce air flow in the second chamber between the first evaporationport and the second evaporation port.
 12. The inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch of claim 6, further comprising: afirst micro-pump coupled to the pouch body and fluidly coupled to thefirst port, wherein the first micro-pump is operable to produce reducedpressure that is delivered to the first port; and a second micro-pumpcoupled to the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the first evaporationport, wherein the second micro-pump is operable to produce air flow inthe second chamber between the first evaporation port and the secondevaporation port.
 13. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch ofclaim 6, wherein the pouch body has surface area in plane view greaterthan 200 centimeters² and less than 730 centimeters².
 14. An inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch for use with body fluids from apatient, the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch comprising: apouch body having an interior portion divided into three parts by afirst high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member and a secondhigh-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member to form a first chamber, asecond chamber, and a third chamber, wherein the first chamber isbetween the second and third chambers; a first air-movement manifolddisposed within the second chamber; a second air-movement manifolddisposed within the second chamber; a first port formed on the pouchbody and fluidly coupled to the first chamber; a second port formed onthe pouch body and fluidly coupled to the first chamber; a firstevaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to thesecond chamber; a second evaporation port formed on the pouch body andfluidly coupled to the second chamber; a third evaporation port formedon the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the third chamber; and a fourthevaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to thethird chamber.
 15. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch ofclaim 14, further comprising a storage material disposed within thefirst chamber.
 16. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch ofclaim 15, wherein the storage material comprises an absorbent member anda first wicking member.
 17. The inline storage-and-liquid-processingpouch of claim 15, wherein the storage material comprises an absorbentmember, a first wicking member, and a second wicking member, wherein theabsorbent member is disposed between the first wicking member and thesecond wicking member.
 18. The system of claim 1, further comprising areduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the first chamber.
 19. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the positive-pressure source is fluidlycoupled to the second chamber at a second evaporation port andconfigured to move air within the second chamber.
 20. An inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch for use with body fluids from apatient, the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch comprising: apouch body having an interior portion comprising a first chamber and asecond chamber; a storage material disposed within the first chamber; anair-movement manifold disposed within the second chamber; a first portadapted to fluidly couple the first chamber to a reduced-pressuresource; and a second port adapted to fluidly couple the second chamberto a positive-pressure source.
 21. The inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch of claim 20, wherein the pouch bodyis adapted to maintain a relative humidity gradient between the firstchamber and the second chamber.
 22. The inlinestorage-and-liquid-processing pouch of claim 20, wherein the storagematerial comprises an absorbent member and a first wicking member.